Hey lovelies.
The other day, I was searching the Internet for advice on writing in the first person. I’m trying to improve my POV writing, okay?
Anyways, found this on nownovel.com and thought it was so incredibly helpful. Check it out!
Write with Heart,
Lady Jabberwocky
Okay.
We need to talk.
A real talk about being a writer.
Sometimes, you just need to start over.
Which is what I’ve decided to do. Well, for the most part.
I’m starting my story over.
For the past couple of months, I’ve been trying to write a novel. Trying being the key word. It’s a mystery story about a Detective and his assistant, set in the 1920s.
These characters and setting have been on my mind for years. Back in fiction writing class, I offered my short story, featuring the detective and the 20s, to be critiqued by my fellow classmates. Although my work was much different than my peers, I received many positive comments. I’m not bragging that my writing is genius, but that positivity gave me encouragement to keep at it.
When I graduated, I was on my own, to write what I please. To be the author I always dreamed I’d become. Frankly, I struggled. With this newfound freedom came fear, fear of the unknown. What kind of story do I write? What genre? Then, I remembered my mystery story from class. I enjoyed writing detective fiction. And I thought to myself, why not just expand the 10 page story I wrote into a novel? Seemed plausible, at the time.
Honestly, I was having a tough time. Every time I tried to write something, it was like walking through quicksand. This was different than ordinary writer’s block. I felt stuck. The more I tried to work on it, the more tangled I felt.
I’ll admit, I grew depressed. I was a writer not writing. I lost all motivation. Writing just lost it’s magic. For months, I had this gut feeling that huge parts of the plot needed to changed in order to create an even greater story. Even though I’m afraid of change, I have to rework the entire plot line, for it’s own good.
So, here’s what’s happening. Major construction and reconstruction.
I’m my opinion, I have great characters. I think, if I do them justice, they can be really special fictional characters. It’s not the characters that need changing, it’s the plot itself. The pieces were playing the wrong game. Does that make sense?
What I want to change, what I NEED to change, is the center of the plot itself. The murder in the murder mystery. The case connecting all these characters together, the case my detective would solve, had to be revamped. Kicked up a notch, I supposed you could say.
Originally, my detective story was centered around an actress who had been shot with a not so fake gun while on stage. Then, I recognized that the murder in my murder mystery was cliche. I didn’t realize how much of a trope my idea was. While having a trope or a cliches in a story is fine, I didn’t want to write something that’s been done a bunch of times. Fiction shouldn’t be predictable.
While writing is an art, it isn’t always roses. I want to share my ups and downs, as a writer, with full honesty. That’s what the Lady Jabberwocky blog is about. If my experience as a writer has an impact on another writer’s life, then maybe sharing my set back will be worth it.
I’m not starting from scratch completely. Some scenes from the original story line can be salvaged and used in the new story line. Characters, for the most part, will remain the same. Sometimes, you need to take a step back and rework elements of a story in order to become better.
I’m happy. And excited to create a story again. A new story. Hopefully, get those creative juices going again. Challenging stereotypes and cliches and tropes always made me write better. It’s what got me writing in the first place.
I’m erasing the drawing board and starting again, and that’s okay.
Never feel discouraged just because of a step backwards. Writing is a process. It’s also a journey and a real adventure. You will eventually arrive at your destination, even if you took a few detours along the way.
Write with Heart,
Lady Jabberwocky
What’s up everybody? Today I am doing the 20 questions book tag. Found this on Jenny in Neverland‘s blog. Thought it’d be fun to do a tag all about books and reading. Check it out!
1. HOW MANY BOOKS IS TOO MANY BOOKS IN A SERIES?
Honestly? Not a big fan of many books in a series. I feel like it’s harder to jump into a story if there are 5 books before it. I’d say more than 3 books is too many, in some cases.
2. HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT CLIFFHANGERS? Love ’em. Consider me hooked if there is a compelling cliffhanger.
3. HARDCOPY OR PAPERBACK? Either one. Although hard cover is usually more expensive. I may lean towards buying paperback, cause I’m cheap.
4. FAVOURITE BOOK? There’s no way I can choose just one. Not possible. Okay. I adore the Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George. And Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern is just spectacular. For argument’s sake, let’s say those two are tied for my favorite book.
5. LEAST FAVOURITE BOOK? That’s a tough one. Do I have a least favorite? Hmm… I don’t think I have a least favorite book. I do have a least favorite short story, the Lottery. Does that count?
6. LOVE TRIANGLES, YES OR NO?
Only if the love triangle makes for an interesting story. If it’s like one girl that has to choose between like the hot biker guy and the sweet nerd guy, then it’d be cliche and I’d say no. But sure, yes to a good love triangle. Why not?
7. THE MOST RECENT BOOK YOU JUST COULDN’T FINISH?
Maybe… The Boy Detective by Roger Rosenblatt..? Sorry. It’s not you, it’s me.
8. A BOOK YOU’RE CURRENTLY READING?
Trying to tear through the giant collection of short stories by Agatha Christie. Also, I would like to start reading Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk by Kathleen Rooney very soon.
9. LAST BOOK YOU RECOMMENDED TO SOMEONE?
I always recommend Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George. That book changed my life, as crazy as that sounds.
10. OLDEST BOOK YOU’VE READ?
I had to read Le Morte D’ Arthur, which is the original King Arthur legend, for a class in college once. That’s medieval literature right there.
11. NEWEST BOOK YOU’VE READ?
I’ve been reading a lot of old books lately. Maybe…. Go Set a Watchmen by Harper Lee.
12. FAVOURITE AUTHOR?
Again, can’t pick one favorite. Ernest Hemingway, Agatha Christie, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Edgar Allen Poe, Nina George, to name a couple.
13. BUYING BOOKS OR BORROWING BOOKS?
Usually, I buy books. However, I do live close to a public library, and have borrowed books from time to time. (Support your local library, seriously)
14. A BOOK YOU DISLIKE THAT EVERYONE SEEMS TO LIKE?
Okay, I like the Great Gatsby. I do. As a reflection on an era, it is wonderful. And I understand why it is considered an American Classic. I know many people LOVE the book. While I respect and admire F. Scott Fitzgerald’s work, his writing style can be a bit flowery sometimes. I’m more of a minimalist, Hemingway fan. Sorry, don’t hate me. I like the book, I don’t love it as much as everyone else does.
15. BOOKMARKS OR DOGEARS?
Bookmarks. And if I don’t have one, I will use any scrap of paper I can find. Receipts, business cards, anything.
However, I will dogear a page that has a memorable quote that really struck me.
16. A BOOK YOU CAN ALWAYS REREAD?
Any of the Sherlock Holmes stories. I’ve reread those stories many many times.
17. CAN YOU READ WHILE HEARING MUSIC?
Don’t usually read to music. Occasionally, I will read with the T.V. on. But yeah, I think I can read while listening to music.
18. ONE POV OR MULTIPLE POVS?
Just one point of view. Sometimes a story can feel jumbled with too many perspectives. I prefer to stick with one character as a story unfolds.
19. DO YOU READ A BOOK IN ONE SITTING OR OVER MULTIPLE DAYS?
Multiple days. I applaud anyone who can just read an entire book in one sitting. Because that is like a super power.
20. ONE BOOK YOU READ BECAUSE OF THE COVER.
Witches of East End series has beautiful covers. And a great story too.
Let me know in the comments what you think of my answers. I tag you! How would you answer some of these questions?
Write with Heart,
Lady Jabberwocky
Lady Jabberwocky 